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The observance of Halloween, which dates back to Celtic rituals
thousands of years ago (see
this page for the history of Halloween), has long been associated with images of witches,
ghosts, devils and hobgoblins.
In the United States, the first official citywide Halloween
celebration occurred in Anoka, Minn., in 1921. Over the
years, Halloween customs and rituals have changed dramatically. Today,
many of the young and young at heart take a more light-spirited
approach. They don scary disguises or ones that may bring on smiles when
they go door to door for treats, or attend or host a Halloween party.
And the tradition has spread to other countries: Japan and France have
ever-growing Halloween parties and activities. It looks like about 171
million people in the US will celebrate Hallooween in 2016, considering
more than
157 million Americans celebrated Halloween in 2015.

Spending - $8.4 billion in 2016

In 2015, 70% of those surveyed by the National Retail Federation handed out candy, 47% carved a pumpkin, 65% to 70% of 18 to 40 year old
adults wore a costume, 36% visited a haunted
house, 52% threw or attended a party and 20% dress up their pets.(ref)
All of these percentages are up substantially from previous years. The
2016 spending should an average $82.93, up from 2015's $74.34 on
decorations, candy, costumes and more. And the numbers really add up: according to
the NRF
survey, Americans are expected to spend $2.6 billion just on Halloween
costumes for adults, children and pets. Total spending in 2016 – including
candy and decorations – is expected to reach $8.4 billion according to the
history of NRF's annual survey. Constrast that with 2010 when consumers spent $66.28 per
person—which for a total of approximately $5.8 billion—on Halloween
costumes, cards, and candy. And that was up from $56.31 in 2009. To see
this data
in graphs, click here!

The trend in spending by US consumers on Halloween follows the economy
in general, but overall is always upwards. Here's the NRF's graph (I think
2016 will end up being UP even more- come back next year to see if I'm right):.

"Trick or Treat!"

36.1 million - The
estimated number of
potential trick-or-treaters in 2006 — children 5 to 13 — across the
United States, down 45,000 from 2005. Of course, many other children —
older than 13, and younger than 5 — also go trick-or-treating.

Jack-O'-Lanterns and Pumpkin Pies

1 billion pounds - Total production of major
pumpkin-producing states in 2006. Illinois led the country by
producing 492 million pounds of the vined orange gourd. Pumpkin patches
in California, Ohio and Pennsylvania also provided lots of pumpkins:
Each state produced at least 100 million pounds. The value of all
pumpkins produced by major pumpkin-producing states was $101 million.

Where to Spend Halloween?

Some places around the country that may put you in the Halloween mood
are:

Candy and Costumes

In 2016, the top selling costomes for children are action/superhero,
princess, animal, Batman character and a Star Wars character.

The top five costumes for adults are a Batman character, a witch,
and animal, a superhero, and a vampire.Also popular are, for
boys, Zombies, Minions, Star Wars and for girls Disney's Frozen
characters, especially Princess Elena.

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